Striker Robert scored three goals Sunday to lead Palmeiras to a 4-3
win over league-leading Santos in the Sao Paulo state championship.
Santos led 2-0 after Para scored in the 10th minute and
18-year-old Neymar scored in the 30th, tapping in a shot in front
of goal after a pass from Paulo Henrique Ganso.
But Robert scored twice in two minutes to level for
Palmeiras. He headed in a free kick from Cleiton Xavier in the 41st
minute, then drove in a left-foot shot from inside the area after
enterprising leadup work by Diego Souza, who took a long, looping
pass and heeled it to Armero.
Midfielder Souza's header from Pierre's free kick in the 56th
minute put Palmeiras ahead 3-2 before Santos rallied. Robinho gave
a perfect pass to Paulo Henrique, who crossed for Madson to score
from the left in the 80th.
Robert fired in a right-foot shot from well outside the area
for the winner in the 87th minute after a counter-attack by
Palmeiras.
In other Sao Paulo state matches on Sunday, Sao Paulo beat
Rio Branco, 2-1; Corinthians beat Santo Andre 2-1; Ponte Preta had
a 4-3 win over Bragantino; and Monte Azul beat Sertaozinho, 1-0.
On Saturday, Botafogo-SP beat Oeste 2-1; Rio Claro edged
Mirassol 2-1; Barueri beat Paulista 2-1; and Mogi Mirim beat Ituano
3-0.
In the Rio de Janeiro state championship, striker Adriano
converted a penalty in the 46th to give Flamengo a 1-0 win over
crosstown rival Vasco.
Adriano - who missed training much of the last week due to
personal problems - celebrated the goal by removing his jersey to
reveal a hand-scrawled message on a white undershirt which read:
"May God forgive these evil people."
The shirt was an apparent reference to the constant chatter
on Brazil's sports pages in the past week predicting Adriano's
downfall. Earlier, Flamengo club director Marcos Braz said the
striker had a drinking problem, which was why he had been away from
the club.
In other Rio state matches on Sunday Botafogo beat Olaria
2-0, and Tigres defeated Americano 2-1. On Saturday, America drew
1-1 with Fluminense; Bangu beat Madureira 2-1; Boavista beat
Resende 4-1; and Duque de Caxias beat Friburguense 1-0.
